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 | Jonathan’s Resource Ezine |
Weekly Resources, Ideas and Articles from The Source for Youth Ministry
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
| In This Issue |
- A Valentine’s Video Clip Idea You Can Use: “Shaolin Soccer” Video Clip Idea, Including Small Group Questions, Bible Passage, and a Wrap Up Talk
- More Valentine’s Day Resources and Ideas: Games, Skits, Discussion Starters, Curriculum, other Video Clip Ideas… and more!
- Coming Soon: “What’s a Fo’ Sheezy?” Jonathan McKee and Fred Lynch’s New Book on SLANGUAGE is Almost Here
- Speakers Booking Up Fast: Are you booking speakers for 2007? Jonathan’s calendar is already half full for 2007. He still has dates open, book him now!
| If you aren’t a subscriber of this EZINE and would like to subscribe – it’s free – just pop on www.TheSource4YM.com and sign up in the upper right hand corner. |
| A Valentine’s Video Clip Idea You Can Use: “Shaolin Soccer” Video Clip Idea, Including Small Group Questions, Bible Passage, and a Wrap Up Talk |
Looking for some ideas for Valentine’s Day? Check out this VIDEO CLIP IDEA for the movie Shaolin Soccer. The topic: True love is sacrificial.
As always, you can find even more of these ideas by just popping onto our web site and clicking on the left hand side bar where it says VIDEO CLIP IDEAS. That page is a gold mine for these kinds of discussion starters, including small group questions, scripture, and a wrap up. All you need to do is pop by Blockbuster and rent the film… we do the rest!
Shaolin Soccer, Rated PGVideo Clip Idea Main Point: True love is sacrificial.
Attention Grabber: Movie – Shaolin Soccer
Shaolin Soccer is a movie based on a comic book. Filmed in China, it is about a retired professional soccer player who discovers a kung fu master named Sing. The two work together to build a soccer team of other kung fu masters, and they compete for big money at a national soccer championship. The movie is pretty funny, using Matrix-like technology to make great but ridiculous soccer matches. It is pretty clean, and the DVD comes with the original Chinese version (which we use for this discussion), complete with the English subtitles, and the newer English version, which is actually missing a scene or two and is dubbed in English.
Scene: I sing to express my admiration.
In this particular scene, Sing (the main character of the film) sees a girl who uses kung fu techniques to make buns. He is so impressed by her technique that he instantly bursts into song to show her how much he admires her. Another passerby gets caught up in the conversation, as he tries to defend Sing’s silliness of singing to express one’s emotions. The camera zooms in on the passerby’s eye as an explosion detonates, and instantly the man begins to sing. Soon, an entire crowd comes together and dances in the street. It is a great film clip to show just how silly the world’s view of love (as defined by overwhelming emotion) is.
The scene starts at approximately 14:19, when Sing is watching Mui make the buns. Be sure you start after the yin-yang appears in the girl’s batch of dough-could be controversial. The scene ends after the dancing crowd scatters at approximately 19:44.
Important Note For Cuing The Film: The scene is only on the original Chinese version of the movie, so be sure you have selected that option when you first put the DVD in the player.
Introductory Statement:
You know, I was thinking today. I really love the weather. I do. Think about it. Clouds one day, rain another, hot sunny days in the summer… Weather is really cool; I just love it! And not only that, I also love my dad. I love him a lot. And I really love Oreos. Oh man, what I wouldn’t give for some Oreos right now. You know, I also love Jesus. But I love the Macho combo burrito from Del Taco. (In this intro, of course, you can substitute any of these items to suit your taste. I would really recommend putting more emphasis on the lesser items, though, to really show how ironic the use of the word love is.)
Have you guys ever thought about how stupid the word love really is? I mean, I use the same word to show my enjoyment in Oreos that I use to say how much I love my wife. Really think about it. Isn’t that lame? It seems like the word love has actually been killed. Some people think love is about a huge pink and white Valentine’s Day card with big words written in cursive on it. Others think that it is just another word with no meaning at all, while some people think that love is a passionate emotion that overcomes their whole body.
Today we’re talking about love. But before we get into it, let’s watch this video clip that paints a pretty good picture of what the world tries to tell us love is.
SHOW THE CLIP
Scene Script:
- LADY: Mui! Ten steamed buns, okay? (LADY throws pot down to MUI.)
SING: (singing) Tai Chi kung fu used to make steamed buns. What a brilliant notion. Fill the pot from heaven with sweet buns, fantastic when done. You’re a kung fu master, I can see, and your homemade treats look so tasty.
MUI: What are you doing?
SING: (now speaking normally) I sing to express my admiration for a kung fu master, because you are truly inspiring. (MUI says nothing.) Wow! So beautiful!
MUI: (turns and hides her face) Don’t mock me. I’m not beautiful.
SING: (grabs a bun from the tray) Your buns are so beautiful. (pops it into his mouth) Wow! So sweet. Was that Shifting Bodies and Transposing Shadows?
MUI: No, that wouldn’t work. It’s Move a Thousand Cattle with Four Tails.
SING: Oh! So that’s how you got it so tender, but also so firm. (pops another bun into his mouth)
MUI: The buns are 50 cents each. Two for a dollar.
SING: That much really?
MUI: Yes.
SING: Well, they are worth every penny, of course. But this is all I have right now. Can I pay you tomorrow?
MUI: No.
SING: Good! Spoken with the grace of a true kung fu master. I am a kung fu master myself. Can I pay tomorrow?
MUI: No.
SING: Good! (He bends over, takes off shoes, and puts them on the table.) Okay! Here’s the deal. I’ll just have one more bun, and you can keep the shoes. All right?
MUI: No.
SING: Good! Come on, give me a break. I really like you. You’re so beautiful. That’s why I sing for you. (He points at MUI and begins to sing again. She bats his hand down.) Aaaaaaahhh…
MUI: Don’t! Stop it! Come on, shut up. (she splashes water on him and he stops.) Just pay for the buns and go on. If you want to sing, do what that guy does. Sing on the subway for quarters.
GUY: Oh, she doesn’t know what she’s talking about. (MUI and SING turn to look at him.) This gentleman’s song is creative and sincere. He’s just expressing his heartfelt thoughts and his deepest feelings.
SING: Thank you.
GUY: You’re welcome. (bows) I am also overwhelmed by the impulse to break into song. When I’m inspired, I must unleash it, or else I will… explode. (The camera zooms in on his eye, and you see an explosion go off. GUY begins to sing and dance in place. MUI and SING take a step back. GUY’s dancing becomes more exaggerated, until other people on the street have explosions in their eyes, and they join him until there is a group of people dancing in the street. MUI begins to get into the music.)
RANDOM LADY: (yelling at MUI) Have you lost your mind or what? Stand up straight! Put your arms down! Get to work! (turns to the dancing crowd) You people are demented! Get back to reality! Now! (the crowd scatters.)
I know this scene was really funny, but wouldn’t you agree that this is a lot of what Hollywood and today’s society tries to tell us love is all about? Both you and I know that there is something deeper out there. Guys, I don’t want you to worry right now. I know that even the word itself can turn you off. Trust me, love isn’t a pansy thing. And girls, I know that the word love really peaks some of your interest. But pay attention. Perhaps some of you have the wrong idea about it. Now we are going to break up into our small groups. And when you’re with your group, let’s really see what LOVE is all about. You might be surprised.
Divide into Small Groups:
Let’s go ahead and split up into our discussion groups, and then afterward we’ll come back together for a final word.
CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THIS VIDEO CLIP IDEA, INCLUDING SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS, A PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE, AND A WRAP UP TALK
| More Valentine’s Day Resources and Ideas: Games, Skits, Discussion Starters, Curriculum, other Video Clip Ideas… and more! |
Where do you look when a certain holiday is coming? Try our HOLIDAY IDEAS page. Just pop on our web site www.TheSource4YM.com, look over at our left hand side bar menu and you’ll see the words HOLIDAY IDEAS under the FREE RESOURCES & IDEAS section. Click on HOLIDAY IDEAS, and then scroll down to where it says VALENTINE’S DAY. You’ll see a ton of free resources and ideas.
The subject is broad. Valentine’s Day can lead to talks about love, dating, purity, or even lust and pornography. Some of the discussions will open the door to talk about the “junk” that we’re allowing in our life that doesn’t belong there. After all, much of the information our kids are getting about sex and dating is from corrupt sources.
But then we also like to link some fun games and ideas that go along with the theme of the holiday.
Here’s some of the resources and ideas you’ll see on our HOLIDAY IDEAS page:
VALENTINE’S DAY
Games:
- Hug Fest
Beautiful Boys
Beauty Both Ways
Face Decorating
Flower (Flour) Girl
Boo!
Cheeky, Cheeky
Cupid
Guys vs. Girls Trivia
Stud Walk
Toilet Paper Bride
Valentine Candy Mixer
Valentine Toe Freezer
Guys Best Pick-up Line
Openers:
- Modesty/Body Image (Girls)
The Rose
Dating
What I Wish the Opposite Sex Knew About Me
Innocence Theft
Spiritual Growth Agendas:
Stupid Skits:
Video Clip Ideas:
| Coming Soon: “What’s a Fo’ Sheezy?” Jonathan McKee and Fred Lynch’s New Book on SLANGUAGE is Almost Here |
GET TEENAGERS TALKING,
LAUGHING, DEBATING, AND THINKING
What’s a Fo’ Sheezy?
More Than 300 Questions from Slanguage to Get Teenagers Talking
Youth Specialties’ brand new book by Jonathan McKee & Fred Lynch
Les Christie says it well:
Jonathan and Fred have come up with a terrific little book for anyone who cares about youth. Our language is constantly changing. It is advantageous for anyone working with teens to know the vocabulary of the generation we’re trying to reach. This book will not only educate you about some of the most popular, current terms of this generation, but also will provide springboards for discussion. This is a fun book. My students and I laughed out loud as we read some of the made up definitions of the words in this book (the book provides a hilarious quiz for each word with choices between authentic and “made up” definitions). The discussion questions around each phrase will cause your students to think and talk. The topical discussion index at the end of the book will help in quickly finding appropriate words with questions for a specific issue. I highly recommend this book.
Les Christie
Author, Best-Ever Games for Youth Ministry
Chair, Youth Ministry Department
William Jessup University
“What’s a Fo’ Sheezy” is also recommended by Chap Clark, Josh McDowell, Larry Acosta, Chris Hill, Walt Mueller, Efrem Smith, Greg Stier and more…
IMPORTANT NOTE: Last week we had some errors with this email address and didn’t resolve it until yesterday. We apologize. BUT, if you emailed us at slanguage@TheSource4YM.com last week, we did NOT receive your email. So if you would like to be notified when this book is released, email us again at slanguage@TheSource4YM.com and type ADD ME FO SHEEZY in the subject line! It’s working now!
| Speakers Booking Up Fast: Are you booking speakers for 2007? Jonathan’s calendar is already half full for 2007. He still has dates open. Book him now! |
2007 camps, retreats or events?
In addition to all the free resources on our website, we like to provide you with recommendations of some budget items, like speakers, that are worth booking for your upcoming events.
Jonathan’s calendar is already half full for 2007. He still has dates open. Book him now!
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Jonathan McKee
Jonathan McKee is the author of over twenty books including the brand new The Guy's Guide to FOUR BATTLES Every Young Man Must Face; The Teen’s Guide to Social Media & Mobile Devices; If I Had a Parenting Do Over; and the Amazon Best Seller - The Guy's Guide to God, Girls and the Phone in Your Pocket. He speaks to parents and leaders worldwide, all while providing free resources for youth workers on TheSource4YM.com. Jonathan, his wife Lori, and their three kids live in California.